A unified pan-Arab framework for the mutual recognition of Halal products and services certificates has been announced at a summit in the UAE.

The move aims to enhance the competitiveness of halal food in international markets.

The announcement was made at the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization pavilion in the 4th Global Halal Industry Platform organised by Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA).

The UAE aims to globalise the halal Industry, with the halal food and beverages market forecast to reach a value of $2.5 trillion this year, according to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

ESMA's director general, Abdulla Al Maeeni, said that the UAE has for years been leading efforts in this sector and launched the Dubai as the Capital of Islamic Economy initiative in 2013. It also established the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre as well as the International Halal Accreditation Forum which includes 32-member states.

Al Maeeni added that the country was the first to establish and implement the world's first halal food system with standards and practices in the fields of accreditation, certification and evaluation.

The GCC countries alone import $50 billion worth of halal products while Muslim consumers around the world are expected to spend $3 trillion by 2023, according to a report by the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre.